Kristen Holmes, Global Head of Human Performance at WHOOP, joins Paul Laursen, Zone 2 cardio expert and co-founder of HIIT Science, for an engaging discussion. They explore the power of Zone 2 training for fat metabolism and recovery, emphasizing its role in cardiovascular health. Paul shares insights into training zones, the vital connection between the nervous and cardiovascular systems, and how to balance training for peak performance. Their conversation also touches on the importance of sleep, hormone levels, and recovery strategies for optimizing athletic potential.

On this week’s episode, WHOOP VP of Performance Science, Principal Scientist, Kristen Holmes is joined by author and endurance coach Paul Laursen. Paul is the Co-Founder and CEO of HIIT Science, the Co-Founder and Head of Product for Athletica, and co-host of the Training Science Podcast. Not only has he published over 150 scientific manuscripts and had his work cited more than 15,00 times, but he’s also competed in 17 Ironman triathlons. Kristen and Paul will discuss how Paul got started training and teaching (3:05), the relationship between the cardiovascular system and the nervous system (6:15), defining the different training zones (10:50), creating a weekly program with cardio zones (25:40), staying balanced with your training (29:10), autonomic recovery and Zone 2 as an active recovery tool (31:25), how Zone 2 can be linked to hormone levels (37:33), Paul’s paper on metabolism and burning fat (41:30), the best medium for Zone 2 training (47:15), training for longevity and VO2 max (50:15), and how Paul thinks about sleep with his athletes (52:05).Resources:Paul's WebsitePaul’s TwitterHIIT ScienceAutonomic Recovery after Exercise in Trained AthletesAthletes: Fit but UnhealthyFat Oxidation during HIITSupport the show

Dr Iñigo Mujika and Paul Laursen discuss heat adaptation in 2 weeks, athlete aspects to periodize, and introduce Iñigo's new book on endurance training science and practice.

Explore the secrets of ultra-athletes with Gordo Bryn & Prof. Paul Laursen. They discuss choosing your endurance spectrum based on strengths, leveraging your coach effectively, and monitoring stress levels. Learn about the importance of pacing, nutrition, health, and enjoying fitness in athletic pursuits.

Learn how Olympic marathon qualifier Phil Sesemann emphasizes the importance of structured training and pushing through fatigue. Discover the details of combining intensive and extensive training, as well as the adaptability required for successful training. Hear about Phil's journey to qualifying for the Paris Olympics and the scientific approach to marathon training.